Course Topics
Introduction and fundamentals.
Basic concepts and definitions for the study of mechanisms. Degrees of freedom, kinematic pairs and structure equation.
Kinematic analysis of planar mechanisms.
Kinematic analysis of position, velocity and acceleration (by base and dyads mechanisms). Singular configurations. Introduction to 3D kinematics. Examples.
Static and dynamic analysis of planar mechanisms.
Recalls on Newtonian and Lagrangian approach. Newtonian and Lagrangian methods for the static analysis of planar mechanisms. Application examples. D'Alembert's principle. Equation of dynamic equilibrium for mechanisms. Lagrange's equation. Inertia reduced to the free coordinate.
One degree of freedom mechanisms in periodic regime. Flywheel design, balancing of a slider-crank mechanism. Application examples.
Transmission gears and other mechanical components.
Description of the most common elements of machines (kinematics and exchanged and transmitted forces).
Wheels. Gears. Toothed gears. Ordinary and epicyclic gearings. Screws and their applications. Flexible elements: Belts and chains. Overview of: joints, clutches, brakes. Comparison of different drives.
Fundamentals of mechanical vibrations. Introduction to mechanical vibrations. Vibrations of one degree of freedom systems. Undamped and damped harmonic oscillators. Free and forced vibrations.
Teaching format
The topics are presented by the professor by means of Power Point presentations or the blackboard.
Practical parts and lab activities/exercises (e.g., Matlab, WorkingModel, Simscape Multibody or MSC Adams) are planned.
A selection of the material presented in class and useful material will be available in the course reserve collection database.